Rotary connector apparatus and steering apparatus

Abstract

A rotary connector apparatus includes a stator, a rotator, and an adjustment structure. The stator is configured to be attached to a vehicle body. The rotator is provided rotatably about a rotation axis with respect to the stator. The stator and the rotator define a cable housing space provided to surround the rotation axis. The adjustment structure is configured to allow the rotation axis to move with respect to the vehicle body in a state where the stator is attached to the vehicle body. The adjustment structure includes a coupling structure configured to couple the stator to the vehicle body. The coupling structure supports the stator movably with respect to the vehicle body to change an angle of the rotation axis with respect to the vehicle body in a state where the coupling structure couples the stator to the vehicle body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rotary connector apparatus comprising:
 a stator configured to be attached to a vehicle body;   a rotator provided rotatably about a rotation axis with respect to the stator, the stator and the rotator defining a cable housing space provided to surround the rotation axis; and   an adjustment structure configured to allow the rotation axis to move with respect to the vehicle body in a state where the stator is attached to the vehicle body,   the adjustment structure comprising a coupling structure configured to couple the stator to the vehicle body, and   the coupling structure supporting the stator movably with respect to the vehicle body to change an angle of the rotation axis with respect to the vehicle body in a state where the coupling structure couples the stator to the vehicle body.   
     
     
         2 . The rotary connector apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the coupling structure comprises a first supporting member supporting the stator movably with respect to the vehicle body along a first virtual sphere centered at a reference point.   
     
     
         3 . The rotary connector apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the reference point is defined on the rotation axis.   
     
     
         4 . The rotary connector apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the coupling structure comprises a coupling member coupled to the stator, and   the first supporting member is contactable with the coupling member on the first virtual sphere.   
     
     
         5 . The rotary connector apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein
 at least one of the first supporting member and the coupling member comprises a first curved surface provided along the first virtual sphere.   
     
     
         6 . The rotary connector apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the coupling structure comprises a second supporting member supporting the stator movably with respect to the vehicle body along a second virtual sphere centered at the reference point.   
     
     
         7 . The rotary connector apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the second supporting member is contactable with the coupling member on the second virtual sphere.   
     
     
         8 . The rotary connector apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein
 at least one of the second supporting member and the coupling member comprises a second curved surface provided along the second virtual sphere.   
     
     
         9 . The rotary connector apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the first virtual sphere has a first curvature radius defined from the reference point,   the second virtual sphere has a second curvature radius defined from the reference point, and   the second curvature radius is larger than the first curvature radius.   
     
     
         10 . The rotary connector apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the coupling member is disposed between the first supporting member and the second supporting member.   
     
     
         11 . The rotary connector apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the coupling structure supports the stator movably with respect to the vehicle body and to allow the stator to move with respect to the vehicle body along a virtual plane perpendicular to the rotation axis in the state where the coupling structure couples the stator to the vehicle body.   
     
     
         12 . The rotary connector apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the coupling member comprises:
 a first coupling member fastened to the stator; and 
 a second coupling member coupled to the first coupling member and movable with respect to the first coupling member along the virtual plane, and 
   the first supporting member is contactable with the second coupling member on the first virtual sphere.   
     
     
         13 . The rotary connector apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the second supporting member is contactable with the second coupling member on the second virtual sphere.   
     
     
         14 . The rotary connector apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein
 one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a guide groove, and   the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member is movably provided in the guide groove.   
     
     
         15 . A steering apparatus comprising:
 a base member included in a vehicle body;   the rotary connector apparatus according to  claim 1 ; and   the coupling structure supporting the stator movably with respect to the base member to change the angle of the rotation axis with respect to the base member in the state where the coupling structure couples the stator to the base member.